My downloads through Firefox don't actually download - "Open" and "Open containing folder" and greyed out when I right click the downloads in the downloads menu
I've had this problem for quite a while. The downloads don't actually download. Nothing comes up in my downloads folder (and I've checked where they are supposed to be stored, I am checking the right place). In my downloads popup through the Firefox client, if I right click any download, both "Open" and "Open containing folder" are greyed out. I have tried using both Firefox 18 and the current Nightly client, and have reinstalled multiple times.
Chosen solution
Which security software (firewall, anti-virus) do you have?
If "Open" and "Open Containing Folder" in the right-click context menu in the Download Manager window are grayed then that means that the file is no longer in the original download location and they may have been removed by Anti-virus or cleanup software.
It is possible that anti-virus software is corrupting downloaded files or is otherwise interfering with downloading files.
Try to disable the real-time (live) scanning of files in your anti-virus software temporarily to see if that makes downloading work.
See:
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_save_or_download_files
- browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone
All Replies (6)
Maybe this will look like a "take aspirin" suggestion, but based on experience so far, The Reset Firefox feature can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information. Note: This will cause you to lose any Extensions, Open websites, and some Preferences.
To Reset Firefox do the following:
- Go to Firefox > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
- Click the "Reset Firefox" button.
- Firefox will close and reset. After Firefox is done, it will show a window with the information that is imported. Click Finish.
- Firefox will open with all factory defaults applied.
Further information can be found in the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article.
Did this fix your problems? Please report back to us!
Thanks for the response, but no, it is still the same after using the Reset Firefox feature. It's just such an odd problem since it's persisted through multiple different versions of Firefox and multiple reinstalls...
Are you sure you didn't install any particular Add-on or Extension ? Check your Add-ons, Extensions and Plugins ... Maybe one of them making this problem for you ...
Maybe it has something to do with the download folder and access rights to it. Try changing its location in Options > general.
Chosen Solution
Which security software (firewall, anti-virus) do you have?
If "Open" and "Open Containing Folder" in the right-click context menu in the Download Manager window are grayed then that means that the file is no longer in the original download location and they may have been removed by Anti-virus or cleanup software.
It is possible that anti-virus software is corrupting downloaded files or is otherwise interfering with downloading files.
Try to disable the real-time (live) scanning of files in your anti-virus software temporarily to see if that makes downloading work.
See:
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_save_or_download_files
- browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone
I am using Microsoft Security Essentials.
Disabling browser.download.manager.scanWhenDone worked! Thanks so much for your help! :) :)